Bronze medal winner at the 2015 World Championships in China Solomon Munyo Mutai has set his eyes on qualification for next year\'s Olympic Games.
Speaking to URN on Tuesday, the 22-year old said the World Championships in Beijing has motivated him to work even harder to be able to qualify and win a medal at the Olympics next year in Brazil
Mutai who settled fourth at last year\'s Commonwealth Games in Scotland recorded a time of 2:13:30 in Beijing, while 19-year old Eritrean Ghirmay Ghebreslassie won the gold medal in the marathon race.
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Uganda\'s team returned from China on Monday and were hosted at the National Council of Sports (NCS) headquarters, Lugogo. Mutai thanked all Ugandans for the support they have showed him. “It feels really nice to win a medal for the country,†added the shy Mutai.
Stephen Kiprotich who failed to defend his title in the same race settled for sixth place with a time of 2:14:43, while Jackson Kiprop was 10th. Kiprotich said although he did not win gold this time he was happy that another Ugandan was among the top performers.
Beatrice Ayikoru, secretary of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) said Mutai now qualifies to start receiving the monthly government stipend for outstanding athletes who win medals at International events.Over 35 athletes including Kiprotich and triple Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Moses Ndiema Kipsiro are among the athletes receiving the monthly stipends.
Kenya were the overall winners of the Championships with seven gold medals, six silver and three bronze medals. Jamaica who were led by the world\'s fastest man Usain Bolt were second on the table standings with a total of 12 medals.
